Length adjusting device for control cable

ABSTRACT

A length-adjusting device for a control cable, comprising a stationary base member to which an outer cable or an inner cable of the control cable is fixedly secured, and into which a cylindrical adjusting pipe, having circular grooves formed and disposed thereon in parallel is inserted and movable in axial direction thereof; an adjusting piece, having a resilient spring, and having a pair of similarly pitched locking teeth for engagement to and release from the circular grooves, which is moveably inserted in a direction perpendicularly to the axis of the adjusting pipe and into an aperture in the stationary base member; and wherein the adjusting piece is biased by the resilient spring which is disposed between the stationary base member and the adjusting piece, for engaging the circular grooves with the locking teeth, and at the same time enabling the release of the engagement by movement against the resilient force of the resilient spring by means of an external force, and wherein the adjusting piece having opposing side plates is further provided with latching windows at their ends for engagement with corresponding latching elements provided on a pair of oppositely disposed side plates of the stationary base member.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/674,751 filed Jul. 2,1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,706, which in turn is a Div. of08/422,303, filed Apr. 13, 1995, which in turn is a Div. of 08/041,480,filed Apr. 2, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,202, which in turn is a Div.of first filed patent U.S. case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a length-adjusting device for a controlcable for automobiles or the like.

Heretofore, such a device, as shown in FIG. 69, comprising an innercontrol cable (120) which is inserted through an outer cable (121), atthe end of which an adjusting bolt (122) is secured, said adjusting bolt(122) being inserted into a fixing hole of a stationary member (123), isfixed by means of screwing two adjusting nuts (124), which are engagedwith said adjusting bolt (122), from both sides of said stationarymember (123) respectively, has been generally used for said purpose. Inorder to adjust the cable length in such a device, however, saidadjusting nuts (124) must be first loosened, then fastened again afteradjusting the cable length, which requires additional work and time.

For overcoming such deficiencies, devices such as Jpn. PublicationS62-63212 (Type 1) and Jpn. Utility Model Publication S51-10269 (Type 2,corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,159) were disclosed.

Namely, in said Type 1, a latch member is movably installedrectangularly to said inner cable axis and spring-biased to latch with asliding member integral to said inner cable. Cable length can beadjusted by moving said latch member against the resilient force of saidspring; then, said inner cable can be locked by securing said latchmember to said sliding member due to release from said enforcedmovement.

However, in said Type 1, the size of the adjusting member necessarilybecomes larger and, moreover, secure locking cannot be achieved, becausethe latching direction is rectangular to said sliding member, and isjeopardized by accidents occurring if the adjusted position moves whensaid cable is subjected to a great outer force.

Further, in said Type 2, an adjusting device comprises a fixed outercable (a conduit), and an adjusting pipe (an adjusting member)therethrough penetrating an inner cable (a motion transmitting coreelement), a base member (a support member) inserted axial-movably intosaid adjusting pipe and an adjusting piece (a locking member) isinstalled within said base member so as to slide rectangularly to theaxial direction.

And, said locking member is threaded so as to engage with the outerthread of said adjusting pipe. Thus, said locking member comprises asmall-diametered circular hole to be threaded as aforementioned, and alarge-diameter circular hole to be continuously connected with saidsmall one.

However, in said Type 2, the formation of two types of holes, i.e., thesmall-diametered and the large-diametered, will inevitably enlarge thesize of said locking member and, further, since said adjusting pipe ismoved relative to said base member by means of moving said lockingmember over said two types of holes, the operational stroke of saidlocking member must be large, which results in applicability within acomparatively small space. Moreover, such a screw-threaded engagementmay occasionally cause an adverse function or problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a length-adjusting device for acontrol cable which is compact but able to be securely locked and is,moreover, easily assembled, overcoming the drawbacks intrinsic to anyprior art as aforementioned.

In the present invention, for attaining these objects, either an outercable or an inner cable is fixed, and an adjusting pipe, having latchingteeth formed outside thereto, is inserted movably in the axial directioninto a stationary base member and, further, an adjusting piece, withparallel locking teeth to be engaged with said latching teeth, ismovably inserted, perpendicularly to the axis of said adjusting pipe,into said stationary base member.

In this case, said outer cable may be fixed to said adjusting pipe andsaid inner cable may be inserted through said adjusting pipe or,otherwise, said outer cable may be fixed to said stationary bracket withsaid inner cable being secured to said adjusting cable.

Further, said adjusting piece may be assembled in said base member so asto regulate the range of movement of said adjusting pipe by means ofabutting to both side ends of a concave surface which is formed on theoutside of said adjusting pipe wherein said latching teeth are formedaxially-continuously with said concave surface.

Further, a guide groove comprising a straight groove and a slant groovecontinuously connected to each other may be formed in said base memberfor guiding the movement of-said adjusting piece.

Furthermore, the length of said latching teeth rectangular to the axisof said adjusting pipe may be shortened and said teeth may be arrangedin parallel in the axial direction of said adjusting pipe, and at thesame time, said locking teeth may be arranged in parallel correspondingto the length of said latching teeth.

Moreover, said latching teeth may be formed with circular grooves formedaround the circumference of said adjusting pipe.

Besides, a resilient spring, installed between said adjusting pipe andsaid base member, may be provided to bias said adjusting pipe to oneside of said concave. Said adjusting piece can be maintained with saidlatching teeth being engaged with said locking teeth due to theresilient force of a spring provided between said base member and saidadjusting piece, and can be installed so as to release said engagementdue to the movement of said adjusting piece against the resilient forceof said spring. Further, said latching teeth and corresponding lockingteeth may both be formed obliquely to the axial direction of saidadjusting pipe, on said adjusting pipe and adjusting piece,respectively.

Because of the above-mentioned structures, said parallel latching teethand said parallel locking teeth engage each other. This will eliminateany adverse engaging, resulting in secure locking of the movement ofsaid adjusting pipe. Further, since said latching teeth are formedoutside said adjusting pipe, the length of said teeth becomes less thanthe diameter of said adjusting pipe and, as a result, the operationalstroke of said adjusting piece becomes small.

When said outer cable is fixed to said adjusting pipe, the length ofsaid inner cable is indirectly adjusted relative to said outer cable andcontrarily, when an inner cable is fixed to said adjusting pipe, thelength of said inner cable is adjusted directly.

Further, said adjusting piece is inserted into said base member aftersaid adjusting pipe is penetrated through said base member, which willprevent sliding-off of said adjusting pipe by restraining the movementof said adjusting pipe within said concave formed outside said adjustingpipe.

Further, when sliding said adjusting piece along said guide groove onsaid base member, at first, the straining position of said cable isdecided by moving said adjusting pipe. Then, straining state is attainedonce by locking the movement of said adjusting pipe by moving saidadjusting piece along said straight groove, and then, the furthermovement of said adjusting piece is exerted by moving said adjustingpiece along said slant groove in the axial direction of said adjustingpipe, or by moving both adjusting pipe and said adjusting piecesimultaneously. In this case, said cable slackens by moving saidadjusting pipe in the axial direction, locking said adjusting pipe atthis slackened position.

When disposing said latching teeth and locking teeth in parallel,shortening the teeth thereof, operational strokes can be decreased.Further, the twisting of said cable can be eliminated by forming saidlatching teeth with circular grooves which will make said adjusting piperotatable even when locked.

Besides, a resilient force can be used for relative moving between saidbase member and said adjusting pipe, under releasing engagement betweensaid latching teeth and said locking teeth, if said resilient spring isprovided for biasing said adjusting pipe.

When installing a resilient spring, said adjusting pipe can be moved bythe movement of said adjusting piece caused by said spring, and saidadjusting pipe can be locked by moving said adjusting piece against theresilient force of said spring. And, when latching teeth and lockingteeth are both formed declining to the axial direction of said adjustingpipe, said cable can be locked in a somewhat slackened state becausesaid adjusting pipe will axially move when said adjusting piece is movedrectangularly to the axial direction of said adjusting pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the 1st embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of said 1st embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a right-side view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a left-side view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of said 1st embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6--6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line 7--7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an adjusting pipe of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a base member in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a front view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view along line 12--12 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an adjusting piece in FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is a front view of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a side view of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the 2nd embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a front view of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a right-side view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a left-side view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view along line 22--22 in FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view along line 23--23 in FIG. 18.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing the state after FIG. 23 functioned.

FIG. 25 is a plan view of an adjusting pipe in FIG. 18.

FIG. 26 is a front view of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a front view of a base member in FIG. 18.

FIG. 28 is a side view of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a front view of an adjusting piece in FIG. 18.

FIG. 30 is a bottom view of FIG. 2 9.

FIG. 31 is a side view of FIG. 29.

FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the 2nd embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 33 is a front view of the 3rd embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a front view of the 4th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a front view of the 5th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view along line 36--36 in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is an enlarged front view of an adjusting pipe in FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is an exploded front view of the 6th embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 39 is a sectional view along line VII--VII in FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the 7th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a front view of FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a bottom view of FIG. 40.

FIG. 43 is a right-side view of FIG. 41.

FIG. 44 is a left-side view of FIG. 40.

FIG. 45 is a sectional view along line 45--45 in FIG. 43.

FIG. 46 is a sectional view along line 46--46 in FIG. 41.

FIG. 47 is a plan view of a base member in FIG. 40.

FIG. 48 is a sectional view along line 48--48 in FIG. 47.

FIG. 49 is a front view of an adjusting piece in FIG. 40.

FIG. 50 is a side view of FIG. 49.

FIG. 51 is a front view to explain the functions of the embodiment inFIG. 40.

FIG. 52 is a front view to explain the functions of the embodiment inFIG. 40.

FIG. 53 is a front view to explain the functions of the embodiment inFIG. 40.

FIG. 54 is a front view to explain the functions of the embodiment inFIG. 40.

FIG. 55 is a front view to explain the functions of the embodiment inFIG. 40.

FIG. 56 is a front view to explain the functions of the embodiment inFIG. 40.

FIG. 57 is a front view of the 8th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 58 is a longitudinally sectional view of the 9th embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 59 is a right-side view of FIG. 58.

FIG. 60 is a left-side view of FIG. 58.

FIG. 61 is a sectional view along line 61--61 in FIG. 58.

FIG. 62 is a front view of an adjusting piece in FIG. 58.

FIG. 63 is a side view of FIG. 62.

FIG. 64 is a front view to explain the functions of the embodiment inFIG. 58.

FIG. 65 is a front view to explain the functions of the embodiment inFIG. 58.

FIG. 66 is a front view to explain the functions of the embodiment inFIG. 58.

FIG. 67 is a partial side view of an adjusting pipe of the 10thembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 68 is a partial sectional view of an adjusting piece in the 10thembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 69 is a front view of an adjusting device pursuant to a prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 16 denote the 1st embodiment, i.e., Device A, accordingto the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, said device A comprises an adjusting pipe(1), an outer cable a secured thereto and an inner cable b insertedtherethrough, a base member (2) which is fixed to a stationary memberthrough a bracket or the like after being inserted through saidadjusting pipe (1), and an adjusting piece installed slidably withinsaid base member (2) in the direction rectangular to the axial directionof said adjusting pipe.

Said adjusting pipe (1), as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, comprises a concave(4) formed on one side of the circumference of said pipe (1) along theaxis thereof, at the bottom of which latching teeth (5) are formedrectangularly to the axis thereof.

A stepped penetrating hole, wherein a large diametered hole (1a) iscontinuously connected with a small diametered hole (1b), is, as shownin FIG. 6, formed around the axial core of said adjusting pipe (1),fixing an outer cable a to said large diametered hole (1a) and insert aninner cable b through said small diametered hole (1b).

A base member (2), comprised as shown in FIGS. 10 through 12, is a cubicblock-like matter, with a circular penetrating hole (2a) formed aroundthe center thereof for said adjusting pipe (1).

In said base member (2), a rectangular penetrating hole (26) for themain portion (3a) of an adjusting piece (3) is formed at a positionseparate from the axis core of said circular penetrating hole (2a)rectangularly to said axis core, and a latching groove (2c) to receive asnap tab (3b) of said adjusting piece (3) is formed on the upper face ofthe upper partition board of said rectangular penetrating hole (2b).Further, at the bottom of said latching groove (2c), latching concaves(2f, 2g) to engage with said snap tab (3b) are formed.

Further, a cylindrical portion (2d), having said circular penetratinghole (2a), is formed on one side of said base member (2), and a circulargroove (2e), to which an adequate flange member is engaged, is formed insaid cylindrical portion (2d) for fixing onto a stationary member.

Still further, as shown in FIGS. 13 through 16, said adjusting piece isbent into a figure with one of the opposing sides made to be said mainportion (3a), with the other being said snap tab (3b). Locking teeth (6)with the same pitches as said latching teeth (5) of said adjusting pipe(1) are formed on the lower face of said main portion (3a), and alatchet (3c) is formed at the end of said snap tab (3b). Said latchet(3c) is provided to secure said adjusting piece (3) to said base member(2) by engaging with said latching concaves (2f, 2g) of said base member(2) when inserting said main portion (3) into said penetrating hole (2b)of said base member (2).

In Device A, said outer cable a is fixed and, after said adjusting pipe(1), through which said inner cable b is inserted, is penetrated intosaid base member (2), said adjusting piece (3) is inserted into saidbase member (2). In this case, said latchet (3c) is engaged with saidlatching concave (2f) (refer to FIG. 7). According to these disposals,said base member (2) becomes movable relative to said adjusting pipe (1)within said concave (4) and at the same time, slippage from saidadjusting pipe (1) can be prevented.

In those situations, said base member (2) is fixed to a stationarymember; then, after adjusting the length of a control cable (not drawn)by moving said adjusting pipe (1), said adjusting piece (3) is insertedin direction "a" (refer to FIG. 7), so as to lock the movement of saidadjusting pipe (1) by engaging said locking teeth (6) with said latchingteeth (5). In this case, said adjusting piece (3) is held, with saidlatchet (3c) thereof being engaged with said latching concave (2g).

The 2nd embodiment of the present invention, i.e., Device B is shown inFIGS. 17 through 32,. Said Device B comprises an adjusting pipe (10),functions the same as said Device A, a base member (20) and an adjustingpiece (30).

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 a pair, of latching teeth (51, 51) withshort lengths thereof perpendicularly to the axial direction of saidadjusting pipe, is installed on both outer sides of said adjusting pipe(10).

Said base member (20) is, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, formedrectangularly cylindric, with a pair of penetrating holes (20a) toreceive said adjusting pipe (10) provided on the opposing sides thereof.Within said base member (20) a spring seat (20c) is formed, the ends ofwhich are connected to said opposing sides (refer to FIGS. 22, 23 and24). Other opposing sides of said base member (20) are elongated whereona pair of latchets (20d) is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 29 through 31, an adjusting piece (30) is bent in a!-form with both opposing side plates (30a) provided at the endsthereof, with latching windows (30b) to engage with said latchets (20d)being formed and, nearly at the center of said opposing sides, a pair oflocking teeth, having the same tooth lengths and intervals as saidlatching teeth 5, is provided in parallel.

These elements are assembled as follows:

First, an outer cable of the control cable is fixed, then, afterinserting said adjusting pipe (10), through which an inner cable isinserted, into said base member (20), said adjusting piece (30) isinserted into a rectangular hole (20b) of said base member (20) so as toposition said side plates (30a) at both sides of said adjusting pipe(10) (refer to FIG. 17). Said adjusting piece (30) contains a spring(70), the end of which is supported by said spring seat (20c), whenbeing thus inserted, and after, said spring (70) will bias saidadjusting piece (30) in direction "b" (refer to FIG. 22).

In this state, since said latching window (30b) of said adjusting pieceis engaged with said latchet (20d), the slippage of said adjusting piece(30) is restricted from said base member (20) despite said spring (70)being energized or biased (refer to FIGS. 22 and 23).

Functions of said Device B are as follows: When said adjusting piece(30) is inserted, the movement of said base member (20) relative to saidadjusting pipe (10) is locked because said locking teeth (61) areengaged with said latching teeth (51) of said adjusting pipe (10) (referto FIG. 23).

In such a state, when moving said adjusting piece (30), as shown in FIG.24, down in direction "c", said locking teeth (61) will be free fromsaid latching teeth 51, making the movement range of said base member(20) relative to said, adjusting pipe (10) restricted by a concave (40)of said adjusting pipe (10) resulting in attaining of length adjustingwithin the extent as mentioned above.

Thus, in said Device B, the operational stroke is small, leading to lessassembly space because said operation is exerted by engaging andreleasing between said latching teeth (51) and said locking teeth (61)both of which have short teeth.

FIG. 33 shows Device C, i.e., the 3rd embodiment of the presentinvention. Said Device C is modified from said Device A, with the lengthof the adjusting pipe (1) being longer, a flange portion (80) installedto said adjusting pipe (1), a spring (90) extrapolated at the portion ofsaid adjusting pipe (1) between a base member (2) and said flangeportion (80) and said base member (20) is bias-urged to the one side ofa concave (4) formed in said adjusting pipe (1). Structures other thanthe above-mentioned are similar to those in Device A.

In Device C, the resilient force of said spring (60) is utilized forlength-adjusting a control cable.

In FIG. 34, Device D, i.e., the 4th embodiment of the present inventionis shown. Said Device D is a deviation of said Device B, with the lengthof the adjusting pipe (10) being longer. In said Device D, saidadjusting pipe has a flange portion (80), a spring (90) extrapolated onthe portion of said adjusting pipe (10) between said base member (20)and said flange portion and said base member (20) are bias-urged by saidspring (90) to the one side of a concave (4) formed in said adjustingpipe (10). All of the elements and structures other than those mentionedabove are similar to those in said Device B.

In Device D, the resilient force of said spring (90) can be made use offor adjusting the length of a control cable, as is the case with saidDevice C.

FIGS. 35 through 37 show Device E, i.e., the 5th embodiment of thepresent invention. Said device is a modification of said Device B,wherein latching teeth (52), comprising circular grooves, are formulatedaround said adjusting pipe (10) and, at about the center portion of theopposing surfaces of both of sides (30a) locking teeth (62) are providedto engage with said latching teeth (52). As to other structures, saidDevice E is similar to said Device B.

According to Device E, said adjusting pipe (10) is pivotable around theaxis even when the axial movement of said pipe (10) is locked by theengagement between said latching teeth (52) and said locking teeth (62).Because of said pivotable feature of said adjusting pipe (10), cabletwisting can be eliminated.

FIGS. 38 and 39 show Device F. i.e . . . the 6th embodiment of thepresent invention. Similar to said Device E, Device F comprises a basemember (20), a ! figure-shaped adjusting piece (30), opposing sideplates (30a) on which locking teeth (62) are provided and a resilientspring (70) (refer to FIG. 38), wherein said base member (20) is securedto a stationary bracket (110).

Further, an inner cable (101) of a control cable is secured to anadjusting pipe (10) and an outer cable (100) is fixed to anotherstationary bracket (111) by means of a nut. Concaves are axially formedon both sides of the circumference of said adjusting pipe and, withinsaid concaves, latching teeth are formed. Said adjusting pipe isinserted into a penetrating hole (113) of said Device F, and lockingteeth (6) are engaged with said latching teeth (53) so as to lock theaxial movement of said adjusting pipe (10).

According to said Device F, therefore, the length of said inner cable(101) can be adjusted directly. In addition, said adjusting pipe may bemade of a solid material. Since extreme tension of the cable is notnecessarily preferable, retaining the same in a slightly slackened(about several mm) state, after full tensioning thereof, is preferable.The reason for the above is that a fully tensioned state may result inoversensitive functions when subjected to only slight external forces,resulting in adverse effects on safety, operation and sensation,particularly for an automobile accelerating cable, a trunk-opener cableor the like.

Embodiments of the present invention which are capable of easilyperforming said adjusting in one action, are described below:

FIGS. 40 through 56 show Adjusting Device G, i.e., the 7th embodiment ofthe present invention.

Said Adjusting Device G comprises an adjusting pipe (11) to which anouter cable is fixed and through which an inner cable is penetrated, abase member (12) which is extrapolated on said adjusting pipe (11) andsecured to a stationary member through a bracket or the like, and anadjusting piece inserted pivotally and rectangularly to the axialdirection of said adjusting pipe, into said base member,(12).

Said adjusting pipe (11), as shown in FIGS. 40, 41 and 44, forms acircular column, with latching teeth (11a) and (11a) disposed on theplain surface at both ends of said column.

A penetrating hole (11b) for said inner cable is formed along the axisof said adjusting pipe, said penetrating hole forming a large-diameteredhole (11c) to secure said outer cable.

A rib (11d) is formed outside along the axial direction of saidadjusting pipe (11). Said base member (12) comprises a rectangularlycylindrical portion (12a) and a circular column portion (12b), which arecontinuously formed and through both of which a penetrating hole toreceive said adjusting pipe (11) slidably. Further, screw threads (12c)are formed around said circular column 12b (refer to FIGS. 40 and 41),with which a nut (not shown) engages to fix said base member (12) tosaid stationary member.

In said penetrating hole of said base member (12) is formed a groove(12d) to be engaged with said rib (11d) of said adjusting pipe (11)(refer to FIG. 43 and 44), by means of which said adjusting pipe (11) isinstalled movably only along the axial direction thereof to said basemember (12) resulting in ease of positioning said adjusting pipe (11)relative to said base member (12) during assembly.

Further, rectangular windows (12e) and (12e) are bored on one side ofsaid rectangular cylindrical portion (12a) of said base member (12)(refer to FIG. 44).

As shown in FIGS. 48 and 49, said adjusting piece is formed into aπ-figure, each side plate of which is (13a) and (13a), i.e . . . , theopposing sides, and (13b), the upper one, and projections (13c and 13c)are made outside said side plates (13a and 13a), respectively, andlocking teeth (13f and 13f) are formed inside said plates (13a and 13a),respectively. Further, tongues (13d and 13d), bent upward, are formed onboth edge portions of said opposing side plates (13a and 13a), and aprojection (13e) is formed on the lower surface of said upper side plate(13b). Then, the lower surface of said projection (13c) is a declinedplate, with the upper surface being a horizontal plate. Said adjustingpiece (13) is inserted into said rectangular cylindrical portion (12a)of said,base member (12) so as to be rectangularly movable to saidadjusting pipe (11), wherein said opposing sides (13a and 13a) of saidadjusting piece (13) will clamp both sides of said adjusting pipe (11).

Insertion of said adjusting piece (13) into said rectangular cylindricalportion (12a) is guided by guiding grooves (14) formed on the interiorsides thereof, wherein a straight groove (14a) which guides saidadjusting piece (13) vertically within said rectangular cylindricalportion (12a), and a declined groove (14b) which guides said adjustingpiece (13) along the axis of said adjusting pipe (11) are continuouslyconnected on the opposing walls of said rectangular cylindrical portion(12a).

Said adjusting piece (13) is inserted into said rectangular cylindricalportion (12a) with its projection (13c) being fixed with said guidegroove 14. As shown in FIG. 45, between said upper plate (13) of saidadjusting piece (13) and a partition wall (12f) formed midway withinsaid rectangular cylindrical portion (12a) a coil spring is provided soas to bias said adjusting piece upwards, wherein said projection (13e)on the upper plate (13b) is fixed into said spring (15) to prevent thebuckling thereof.

Said adjusting piece (13) is restrained from sliding off upwards despitethe resilient force of said spring (15) because said tongue (13d)thereof is latched at said rectangular window (12e) of said rectangularcylindrical portion (12a).

Said Adjusting Device G, when thus assembled, will function as follows:

The initial state directly after said adjusting piece (13) has beenassembled within said rectangular cylindrical portion (12a) is as shownin FIGS. 46 and 51. In this state, said locking teeth 13f of saidadjusting piece (13) are engaged with said latching teeth 11a of saidadjusting pipe (11) (FIG. 46), and said projection (13c) is positionedunderside straight groove (14a) (FIG. 51), and thus the axial movementof said adjusting pipe (11) is locked.

Then, when load P is applied to said adjusting piece (13) downwards,said adjusting piece (13) falls guided by said straight groove (14a)down to abutting said declined face of said projection (13c) to adeclined face (141b) of said declined groove (14b) (refer to FIG. 52).In this case, said declined groove (14b) consists of said declined face(141b), a horizontal face (143b) opposing said declined face (141b) anda vertical face (142b) hanging down from said horizontal face (143b)(refer to FIG. 48). Further, when said downward load P is increased,said projection (13c) moves along said declined face (141b) down to abutsaid vertical face (142b) and thus, said adjusting piece (13) will falldown along the axial direction of said adjusting pipe (11) (refer toFIG. 53).

When said downward load P is further applied, said projection 13(c)descends along with said vertical face (142b) together with saidadjusting piece (13) (FIG. 53). In this state, said locking teeth (13f)of said adjusting piece (13) are released from engagement with thelatching teeth (11a) of said adjusting pipe, and thus, said adjustingpipe (11) becomes free to move in axial direction thereof, i.e., indirection "d" or direction "e" in FIG. 54. Maintaining this state, thelength of the cable can be adequately adjusted by moving said adjustingpipe (11).

After adjusting, when releasing said load P, said adjusting piece (13)rises due to said spring (15) up to abut said projection (13c) to saidhorizontal face (143b) of said declined groove (14b) (refer to FIG. 55).In this state, a temporary stress of said cable is obtained because saidlocking teeth (13f)of said adjusting piece are engaged with saidlatching teeth (11a) of said adjusting pipe (11) so that the axialmovement thereof is locked.

Next, as shown in FIG. 55, moving said adjusting pipe (11) in direction"f" will make said adjusting piece (13) move also, and eventually suchan initial locking state as shown in FIG. 46 is attained, becauseabutting said projection (13c) to said horizontal face (143b) isreleased and then said adjusting piece (13) will ascend along saidstraight groove (14a) (refer to FIG. 56). The cable then slackenscorresponding to the movement of said adjusting pipe (11) in direction"f".

FIG. 57 shows Device H, which is the 8th embodiment of the presentinvention. Said Device H comprises structures similar to said Device Gexcept for the forms of said projection (13) and said declined groove(14b) of said guide groove (14).

In said Device H, a nearly lozenge-shaped projection (13c) is provided,and said declined groove has an upwards slant face (144b) in place ofsaid horizontal face (143b). Therefore, cable slackening can be done inone action. Namely, after said cable is held in a tensioned state bymeans of the axial movement of said adjusting pipe (11) by applying aload P to said adjusting piece, when said load P is released, saidadjusting piece (13) ascends by virtue of said spring (15) making saidprojection (13c) reach said straight groove (14a) at once throughsliding said projection (13c) along said declined face (144b) of saiddeclined groove (14b). Then, while said projection (13c) slides alongsaid declined face (144b), the cable is slackened due to the movement ofsaid adjusting pipe (11) in direction "f".

In FIGS. 58 through 65, Device J, the 9th embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. In said Device J, rectangular windows to restrictthe movement of an adjusting piece (13) are provided at the lower andupper sides of a base member (12). Namely, at the upper portion of oneside of a rectangular cylindrical portion (12a) of said base member areformed rectangular windows (12g and 12g) (FIG. 59), and at the lowerportion of the other side are rectangular windows (12h and 12h) (FIG.60).

As shown in FIGS. 62 and 63, lozenge projections (13c and 13c) areformed outside both of the opposing side plates of said adjusting piece(13), and locking teeth (13f)to engage with latching teeth (11a) of anadjusting pipe (11) is formed on the inside of each of said opposingsides plates (13a), and on the edge side thereof an upper tongue (13g)and lower tongue (13h) are formed. And, as is the case with thepreceding embodiment, said adjusting piece is inserted into saidrectangular cylindrical portion (12a) of said base member (12).

Such insertion is exerted by descending said lozenge projection (13c)along a guide groove (140) provided on the inside wall of saidrectangular cylindrical portion (12a). In this case, as shown in FIGS.64 and 65, an upper straight groove (140a) is continuously connected toa lower straight groove (140b) through a declined groove (140c) to formsaid guide groove (140).

Directly after said insertion has been performed, said Device J is inthe state, as shown in FIG. 64, wherein slipping off is prevented byengagement of said upper tongue (13g) with said rectangular window(12g). In said state, said adjusting pipe (11) can move both indirection "d" and direction "e" (FIG. 64), since locking teeth (13f)ofsaid adjusting piece (13) are free from engagement with said teeth (11a)of said adjusting pipe (11). After tensioning a cable by the movement ofsaid adjusting pipe (11), said adjusting piece (13) is descended by aload P to abut said projection (13c) to the declined face of saiddeclined groove (140) (refer to FIG. 65). In this situation, half ofsaid locking teeth (13f)of said adjusting piece (13) are engaged withsaid latching teeth (11a) of said adjusting pipe (11) to lock the axialmovement thereof, preserving the tensioned state of said cable.

When descending said adjusting piece (13) by a load P, said projection(13c) will slide along said declined groove (140c) down to said lowerstraight groove slantly towards the axial direction of said adjustingpipe (11) (refer to FIG. 66). Due to such slant movement of saidadjusting piece (13), said adjusting pipe (11) moves in direction "f",slackening said cable. Thus, said cable can be held somewhat inslackened state, since the slippage of said adjusting piece (13) isprevented by engaging such lower tongue (13h) with said lowerrectangular window (12h), and at the same time, the axial movement ofsaid adjusting pipe (11) is locked, by said locking teeth (13f)all beingengaged with said latching teeth (11a).

FIGS. 67 and 68 show an adjusting pipe and an adjusting piece of anAdjusting Device K as an adjusting type of the slacking of a controlcable. Said Device K comprises the same structures and elements as saidDevice B, except for the locking teeth structure. The same numerals aretherefore used for the same elements.

In Device K, said latching teeth (51) are, as shown in FIG. 67, slantlyformed on both sides of said adjusting pipe (10), to the axial directionthereof. Said locking teeth (61) are formed slantly on the opposingfaces of said opposing side plates (30a) of said adjusting piece (30),as shown in FIG. 68, in correspondence with said latching teeth (51).

The movement of said adjusting pipe (10) is locked by the engagement ofsaid latching teeth (51) with said locking teeth (61), and under suchengagement, said adjusting pipe (10) moves along the axial directionthereof when moving said adjusting piece (30) rectangularly to saidaxial direction. Therefore, in Device K, after tensioning and adjustingthe length of a control cable by moving said adjusting pipe (10) due toreleasing said engagement of said latching teeth (51) with locking teeth(61), said adjusting piece (30) is moved towards the reverse directionfor engaging said latching teeth (61) again with said locking teeth(51), and when moved further, said adjusting pipe (10) is locked in asomewhat slackened position, resulting in positioning in a somewhatslackened state.

As described above, any device according to the present invention,shortening the operation stroke of an adjusting piece, can make thewhole size compact and thus save on installation space, in comparisonwith other prior arts. Secured locking is attained because latchingteeth and locking teeth, both engraved in parallel, are engagedtogether.

Further, as the movement range of an adjusting piece is restricted by aconcave formed within an adjusting pipe, the slippage of a base memberfrom said adjusting pipe is prevented, which leads to easy assembly.Further, when latching teeth on an adjusting pipe are formed intocircular grooves, said adjusting pipe becomes pivotal even when locked,which automatically stops cable twisting after length djustment thereof.

Further, a guide groove provided in an adjusting piece will make thelength adjustment very simple in one action and secure maintenance of adefined length of control cable even when exposed to external force.Further, when a groove which receives the projection of an adjustingpipe is formed in a penetrating hole of a base member, said adjustingpipe can be assembled into said base member movably only in the axialdirection thereof, resulting in easy positioning and a decrease in thenumber of assembly steps.

Since a device pursuant to the present invention is assembled byinserting an adjusting piece into a base member into which an adjustingpipe is inserted, it is easy to assemble said device which is simple instructure, having less parts, and accordingly, low manufacturing costs.

What is claimed is:
 1. In combination, a length-adjusting device for acontrol cable, comprising:a stationary base member with an outer cable(a) or an inner cable (b) of said control cable being fixedly securedthereto, and into which a cylindrical adjusting pipe having circulargrooves formed and disposed thereon in parallel is inserted so as to bemoveable in an axial direction thereof; an adjusting piece, having aresilient spring, and having a pair of similarly pitched locking teethfor engagement to and release from said circular grooves, which ismoveably inserted in a direction perpendicular to the axis of saidadjusting pipe and into an aperture in said stationary base member; andwherein said adjusting piece is biased by said resilient spring disposedbetween said stationary base member and said adjusting piece, forengaging said circular grooves with said locking teeth, and at the sametime enabling the release of said engagement by movement against theresilient force of said resilient spring by means of an external force,and wherein said adjusting piece having opposing side plates providedwith latching windows at their ends for engagement with correspondinglatching elements provided on a pair of oppositely disposed side platesof said stationary base member.